Latest news with #LiUNA
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Production Assistants' Union Drive Gets Boost From Bernie Sanders Rally: 'Studios Will Push Back'
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour stop in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday featured politicians, famous musicians, labor leaders — and Hollywood production assistants. Echoing the event's ethos of challenging corporate interests and billionaires, labor organizers focused on one of the entertainment industry's most crucial but unglamorous roles made a fiery unionization pitch to the reported 36,000 attendees. In the process, they put a spotlight on wages and working conditions as they described production assistants as being primed to build 'working-class power.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Green Day Blaze Through Headline Set, Charli XCX Brings Star Power at Coachella Day 2 Bernie Sanders Blasts Trump and Musk During Surprise Coachella Appearance SAG-AFTRA and Advertisers Reach Tentative Agreement on Successor Contracts Thousands of production assistants are 'sick and tired of being underpaid, overworked and unprotected,' said LiUNA Local 724 business manager Alex Aguilar, whose Local is heading up the union-organization effort, in a speech. 'That stops!' Organizer Clio Byrne-Gudding, a production assistant who has in the past worked on Rebel Moon parts one and two, addressed production assistants directly: 'Will you continue to allow the corporate class to walk all over you and your coworkers? Or will you stand up and put your talents to use to protect your life and the lives of your fellow PAs?' The appearance was the highest-profile yet for LiUNA organizers aiming to create a nationwide production assistants' union. The group went public at a Labor Day parade in 2024 and now have organizers in New York, Texas, Illinois and Georgia, Byrne-Gudding said on Saturday. The group's key objectives are to raise wages, address turnaround times and institute union-administered health insurance coverage. But, as organizers mentioned at the rally, they're also looking to revolutionize a typical career pathway for entry-level workers in Hollywood. 'We're organizing not just to fix one job but to transform the entire industry for future generations of workers,' said Ethan Ravens, another organizer with the group. Ravens spoke to waking up at 2 or 3 a.m. for the job, working 16-plus hour days and then getting 'five or less hours of sleep' before repeating the cycle the next day. He said he knew PAs who had fallen asleep at the wheel while working productions' sometimes-punishing hours. 'Some of Hollywood's biggest players are the largest, most profitable companies in the world,' Ravens said in his speech. 'We're talking about Apple, Disney, Amazon. And as a PA, we're expected to carry the weight of these Hollywood productions on our backs.' Organizer Nalani Rodgers speculated on how Hollywood companies might respond to the half-a-year-old union drive in a speech. 'Studios will push back, they'll tell you you're just lucky to be here, that things will never change and it is what it is,' she said. 'You and your fellow workers must resist giving into fear.' The appearance preceded a rally that will take place for the organizing effort on May 4 in Burbank. The organizers are ramping up their efforts at a challenging time for crew members, especially in Los Angeles, where on-location production days fell 22 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared with a year prior. State-wide, film, TV and sound jobs were down 25 percent in California in 2024 compared with 2022, before the double strikes of 2023. Byrne-Gudding acknowledged that they have seen PAs endure 'joblessness and poverty' during their time in the industry. 'Things have been hell in Hollywood and in the world,' Byrne-Gudding said. Still, Byrne-Gudding urged their cohort to keep their eye on the ball. 'Many in the film business would tell you that winning protections for PAs in impossible. But you know what? Here in the film business, we do the impossible on a daily basis.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
NBC News
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Fires, strikes and the pandemic hurt Hollywood production. Now, industry workers are asking for help.
LOS ANGELES — Hundreds of film and television workers packed into a building in Los Angeles' Sun Valley neighborhood on Sunday to rally for renewed investment in Hollywood. The event was part of a grassroots movement pushing for studios to bring production back to Los Angeles after the city suffered a series of setbacks in recent years, including devastating wildfires, Hollywood labor strikes and the lasting ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic. From actors to production assistants to makeup artists and prop makers, at least 1,000 people showed up to the 'Stay in LA' campaign's first public rally to cheer on efforts to expand film and TV tax credits and make filming in Los Angeles more affordable. At SirReel Studios, an equipment rental agency for film and TV productions, a mix of industry workers and local politicians took the stage as they called for further support from state lawmakers. 'People are struggling. Rents went up, groceries went up. But the only thing that's not going up are the jobs, the paychecks. The jobs that people are looking for … They're gone,' Alex Aguilar Jr., principal officer of LiUNA Local 724, said before the crowd. 'We get calls every day from people being out of work: 'How can I pay my rent? I don't have any benefits for my wife, for my kids.'' Wes Bailey, owner of SirReel Studios, volunteered his building as a venue for the rally at no cost. Bailey said his company suffered a drastic revenue drop over the past two years that forced him to cut several jobs, and he noted that he's struggled 'just to keep the lights on, to keep people employed.' Momentum was slow when the Stay in LA movement formed in August last year, he said, but the catastrophic fires in January instilled a new 'sense of urgency' in bringing production back. At Sunday's rally, local and state-level elected officials made up nearly half of the speakers listed. 'The dirty little secret is that none of those people were going to be here until 1,500 people signed the RSVP, so I'm encouraged,' Bailey told NBC News. 'I've had conversations today [with lawmakers] that I couldn't get to answer my call. I don't think that it's that they didn't care. I just think that they wanted to see where the momentum is, and we have the momentum.' Sound stages in the greater Los Angeles area were on average around 90% full from 2016 to 2022, according to a study published Thursday by FilmLA, a nonprofit that coordinates film permits and supports on-location production in the region. But industry strikes made that number drop to 69% in 2023, and by 2024, occupancy levels fell even further to 63%. Costumer and IATSE union member Shirletha Jordan, who attended Sunday's rally, said that prior to the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes, work was coming in so reliably that she often had to turn down jobs. But the lack of work for actors and writers in the past two years translated to less work for costumers as well. Now, Jordan said, she might go months without a gig. 'It's an emotional rollercoaster,' she said. 'My position right now is I don't have any work. What do I do? Do I go try and get another job, because I do have two degrees? But I believe in this work so much, and I'm first-generation Hollywood … I don't want to move back home [to Atlanta]. I made my way here to live in California.' Recent legislative efforts have tried to draw production back to Hollywood through a renewed focus on competing with higher or more accessible tax incentives offered by other states. State lawmakers this year proposed increasing the California Film & TV Tax Credit Program to cover 35% of qualified expenses for projects shot in the Los Angeles region, up from the current credit of 20% to 25%. That came after Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposal last year to dramatically increase the amount of money allocated to the tax credit program from $330 million to $750 million. In one win for Hollywood filmmakers, the California Film Commission last month approved a record 51 film projects for tax incentives, the largest round of awards in state history. As industry leaders say they plan to continue the fight in Sacramento, Stay In LA has also been working with the L.A. City Council on municipal legislation to reduce certain regulations, permitting requirements and fees in an attempt to remove barriers for production companies. 'We're not asking for a handout. We're asking for the chance to work,' L.A. City Council member Nithya Raman said onstage Sunday. 'We want to work in L.A. We want to live in L.A. We want to raise our families in L.A.'
Globe and Mail
04-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Entourage Health Corp. Announces Closing of Plan of Arrangement
TORONTO, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Entourage Health Corp. (TSX-V: ENTG) (OTCQX: ETRGF) (FSE: 4WE) (the ' Company ' or ' Entourage ') is pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced plan of arrangement (the ' Arrangement ') pursuant to which 1001095275 Ontario Inc. (the ' Purchaser '), a related party of LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (' LiUNA '), acquired, with an effective date of March 31, 2025 (the ' Effective Date '), all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the ' Common Shares ') for cash consideration equal to C$0.005 per Common Share (the ' Consideration '). The Arrangement also provided for the same Consideration to be paid to holders of certain vested convertible securities of the Company. In addition, in connection with the Arrangement, the Company previously entered into debt settlement agreements (the ' Debt Settlement Agreements ') with holders of C$1,013,050 in aggregate principal amount of unsecured debentures issued by a subsidiary of the Company (the ' Unsecured Debentures '). The Debt Settlement Agreements provided for the full and final settlement of the Unsecured Debentures in exchange for an aggregate cash payment of C$250,000 to the holders of the Unsecured Debentures, which was completed concurrently with closing of the Arrangement. The Arrangement was approved by the Company's shareholders (the ' Shareholders ') on March 21, 2025 and by the Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) on March 26, 2025. 'Today marks a new chapter for Entourage as we complete this transaction alongside LiUNA,' commented George Scorsis, CEO of Entourage. 'This important milestone highlights the strength of our business, the dedication of our team, and the opportunities that lie ahead. We are grateful for LiUNA's continued support—their commitment has been instrumental in reaching this point. We look forward to building on this partnership as we drive the next phase of growth and continue delivering high-quality products to consumers and patients.' With the Arrangement now complete, Entourage intends to cause the Common Shares to be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange (the ' TSX-V '), Frankfurt Stock Exchange and OTC Markets as soon as reasonably practicable. In connection therewith, Entourage intends to submit an application to the applicable securities regulators to cease to be a reporting issuer and to terminate its public reporting obligations. As at the Effective Date, each Shareholder is entitled to receive the Consideration per Common Share. To receive their respective Consideration, registered Shareholders must surrender the certificates representing their Entourage securities together with a duly completed and corresponding executed Letter of Transmittal to TSX Trust Company. The Letter of Transmittal was mailed to Shareholders with Entourage's management information circular dated February 10, 2025. If you have any questions or require further information about the procedures to complete your Letter of Transmittal, please contact TSXT at 1-866-600-5869 (toll-free in North America) or 416-361-0930 (outside North America) or by email at tsxtis@ The Letter of Transmittal, applicable to each Shareholder, is for use by registered Shareholders only and is not to be used by beneficial holders of Common Shares (' Beneficial Shareholders '). A Beneficial Shareholder does not hold Common Shares in its name but such shares are held by an intermediary such as a brokerage firm, or clearing agency such as CDS. If you are a Beneficial Shareholder, your intermediary will submit the required documentation in order to receive your consideration. A copy of the Purchaser's early warning report will be filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at and available upon request by contacting Investor@ About Entourage Health Corp. Entourage Health Corp. is the publicly traded parent company of Entourage Brands Corp., a licence holder producing and distributing cannabis products for the medical and adult-use markets. The Company owns and operates a fully licensed 26,000F sq. ft. Aylmer, ON processing facility. With its Starseed Medicinal medical-centric brand, Entourage has expanded its multi-channelled distribution strategy. Starseed's industry-first, exclusive partnership with LiUNA, the largest construction union in Canada, along with employers and union groups, complements Entourage's direct sales to medical patients. Entourage's elite adult-use product portfolio includes Color Cannabis, Saturday Cannabis – and now Dime Bag and Syndicate – sold across eight provincial distribution agencies. Exclusive Canadian producer and distributor of award-winning U.S.-based wellness brand Mary's Medicinals, sold in both medical and adult-use channels. For additional information or investor or media inquiries: 1-888-385-5003 Investor@ About LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada Established in 1972, the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPFCEC) is one of the fastest growing multi-employer pension funds across Canada. With a diverse investment portfolio and over $12 billion in assets, LPFCEC has yielded positive returns for the plan, and has created many needed institutions across North America through a broad range of investments. Learn more at Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information Certain statements made herein, including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Company's beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and is typically identified by words such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'could', 'estimate', 'expect', 'intend', 'likely', 'may', 'plan', 'seek', 'should', 'will' and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Arrangement, including the expected de-listing of the Common Shares and the Company ceasing to be a reporting issuer and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information is based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such information. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate. Such information is based on numerous assumptions, including assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, and the environment in which the Company operates. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking information in this news release is based on information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and complete, this information is by its nature subject to a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's expectations and plans as set forth in such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the following factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict: (a) the possibility of adverse reactions or changes in business relationships resulting from the completion of the Arrangement; (b) the possibility of litigation relating to the Arrangement; (c) risks related to the diversion of management's attention from the Company's ongoing business operations; and (d) other risks inherent to the Company's business and/or factors beyond its control which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company cautions that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible factors that could impact the Company's results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, this forward-looking information. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors, other uncertainties and potential events and the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Entourage's disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ at and should not rely on the Company's forward-looking information to make decisions with respect to the Company. Furthermore, the forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Entourage Health Corp. Announces Closing of Plan of Arrangement
TORONTO, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Entourage Health Corp. (TSX-V: ENTG) (OTCQX: ETRGF) (FSE: 4WE) (the 'Company' or 'Entourage') is pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced plan of arrangement (the 'Arrangement') pursuant to which 1001095275 Ontario Inc. (the 'Purchaser'), a related party of LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada ('LiUNA'), acquired, with an effective date of March 31, 2025 (the 'Effective Date'), all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the 'Common Shares') for cash consideration equal to C$0.005 per Common Share (the 'Consideration'). The Arrangement also provided for the same Consideration to be paid to holders of certain vested convertible securities of the Company. In addition, in connection with the Arrangement, the Company previously entered into debt settlement agreements (the 'Debt Settlement Agreements') with holders of C$1,013,050 in aggregate principal amount of unsecured debentures issued by a subsidiary of the Company (the 'Unsecured Debentures'). The Debt Settlement Agreements provided for the full and final settlement of the Unsecured Debentures in exchange for an aggregate cash payment of C$250,000 to the holders of the Unsecured Debentures, which was completed concurrently with closing of the Arrangement. The Arrangement was approved by the Company's shareholders (the 'Shareholders') on March 21, 2025 and by the Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) on March 26, 2025. 'Today marks a new chapter for Entourage as we complete this transaction alongside LiUNA,' commented George Scorsis, CEO of Entourage. 'This important milestone highlights the strength of our business, the dedication of our team, and the opportunities that lie ahead. We are grateful for LiUNA's continued support—their commitment has been instrumental in reaching this point. We look forward to building on this partnership as we drive the next phase of growth and continue delivering high-quality products to consumers and patients.' With the Arrangement now complete, Entourage intends to cause the Common Shares to be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange (the 'TSX-V'), Frankfurt Stock Exchange and OTC Markets as soon as reasonably practicable. In connection therewith, Entourage intends to submit an application to the applicable securities regulators to cease to be a reporting issuer and to terminate its public reporting obligations. As at the Effective Date, each Shareholder is entitled to receive the Consideration per Common Share. To receive their respective Consideration, registered Shareholders must surrender the certificates representing their Entourage securities together with a duly completed and corresponding executed Letter of Transmittal to TSX Trust Company. The Letter of Transmittal was mailed to Shareholders with Entourage's management information circular dated February 10, 2025. If you have any questions or require further information about the procedures to complete your Letter of Transmittal, please contact TSXT at 1-866-600-5869 (toll-free in North America) or 416-361-0930 (outside North America) or by email at tsxtis@ The Letter of Transmittal, applicable to each Shareholder, is for use by registered Shareholders only and is not to be used by beneficial holders of Common Shares ('Beneficial Shareholders'). A Beneficial Shareholder does not hold Common Shares in its name but such shares are held by an intermediary such as a brokerage firm, or clearing agency such as CDS. If you are a Beneficial Shareholder, your intermediary will submit the required documentation in order to receive your consideration. A copy of the Purchaser's early warning report will be filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at and available upon request by contacting Investor@ About Entourage Health Corp. Entourage Health Corp. is the publicly traded parent company of Entourage Brands Corp., a licence holder producing and distributing cannabis products for the medical and adult-use markets. The Company owns and operates a fully licensed 26,000F sq. ft. Aylmer, ON processing facility. With its Starseed Medicinal medical-centric brand, Entourage has expanded its multi-channelled distribution strategy. Starseed's industry-first, exclusive partnership with LiUNA, the largest construction union in Canada, along with employers and union groups, complements Entourage's direct sales to medical patients. Entourage's elite adult-use product portfolio includes Color Cannabis, Saturday Cannabis – and now Dime Bag and Syndicate – sold across eight provincial distribution agencies. Exclusive Canadian producer and distributor of award-winning U.S.-based wellness brand Mary's Medicinals, sold in both medical and adult-use channels. For additional information or investor or media inquiries:1-888-385-5003Investor@ About LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada Established in 1972, the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPFCEC) is one of the fastest growing multi-employer pension funds across Canada. With a diverse investment portfolio and over $12 billion in assets, LPFCEC has yielded positive returns for the plan, and has created many needed institutions across North America through a broad range of investments. Learn more at Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information Certain statements made herein, including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Company's beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and is typically identified by words such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'could', 'estimate', 'expect', 'intend', 'likely', 'may', 'plan', 'seek', 'should', 'will' and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Arrangement, including the expected de-listing of the Common Shares and the Company ceasing to be a reporting issuer and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information is based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such information. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate. Such information is based on numerous assumptions, including assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, and the environment in which the Company operates. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking information in this news release is based on information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and complete, this information is by its nature subject to a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's expectations and plans as set forth in such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the following factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict: (a) the possibility of adverse reactions or changes in business relationships resulting from the completion of the Arrangement; (b) the possibility of litigation relating to the Arrangement; (c) risks related to the diversion of management's attention from the Company's ongoing business operations; and (d) other risks inherent to the Company's business and/or factors beyond its control which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company cautions that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible factors that could impact the Company's results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, this forward-looking information. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors, other uncertainties and potential events and the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Entourage's disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ at and should not rely on the Company's forward-looking information to make decisions with respect to the Company. Furthermore, the forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news in to access your portfolio
